The Dangote Group has severed ties to the early-morning Monday fire that broke out in the Kogi State House of Assembly.
In a statement released on Monday in Lagos and signed by Mr. Anthony Chiejina, Group Head of Branding and Communications, Dangote Industries Ltd., the corporation denied accusations that it was to blame for the development.
According to Chiejina, the business categorically denies this claim and denounces it as a socially irresponsible corporate concern, adding that “the unprofessional and irresponsible attempt to smear its image before local and international investors and thus erode its brand value.”
He claimed that the business would never go so far as to fund thugs to destroy anyone’s or any government’s property.
He claims that such behavior is at odds with the group’s corporate philosophy and everything the corporation stands for as a preeminent manufacturer with throngs of clients and consumers throughout Nigeria and Africa.
He claimed that attorneys for the Dangote Group were required to respond to the harmful claim made by the Kogi State government in a way that complied with the law.
“Our attention has been drawn to a circulating press statement issued by the Kogi State government, wherein the Dangote Group was accused of allegedly sponsoring arsonists to set the Kogi State House of Assembly on fire in the early hours of Monday, Oct. 10.
His words: “The statement titled, ‘Obajana: Desperation sets in as imported hoodlums burn down Kogi Assembly,’ which was signed by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, pointedly accused our company of burning the Complex.
“…. in an attempt to possibly destroy evidence relating to the ownership tussle between the Kogi State Government and the Dangote Group over the Obajana Cement Company.
“We urge our stakeholders and the public to disregard such irresponsible and insane statements.
“We ask all our stakeholders, namely shareholders, customers, suppliers, employees, and the entire community of Obajana and Kogi State at large to remain calm while we follow the legitimate and lawful process to resolve this matter with the State Government”.
